WILL Press Release | WILL Applauds Passage of Licensing Reform Bills

But the legislature still must act on other bills

November 27, 2017 – Milwaukee, WI – The Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty applauds the passage and enactment of SB 108 and SB 109, two occupational licensing reform bills that will serve to ease the regulatory burdens on Wisconsin workers. SB 108 and 109 specifically reform Wisconsin’s cosmetology licenses in four specific ways:

  • Eliminates a 4,000 hour practice requirement for cosmetologists, barbers, aestheticians, and manicurists who have a license in good standing in another state and replaces it with a one-hour class.
  • Eliminates continuing education requirements except as part of a disciplinary decision.
  • Allows licensed practitioners, under specified conditions, to practice outside of a licensed establishment.
  • Eliminates the Manager license and the requirement for an Instructor license.

WILL research has found that occupational licensing, or government permission slips to work in certain regulated profession, have grown dramatically in the Badger state over the last two decades. Since 1996, the number of license types in Wisconsin has grown by 84%, affecting more than 440,000 current license holders. This growth in licensing regulations in the Badger State has resulted in lower employment, hindered opportunity, and added costs to the economy.

“The enactment of these two occupational licensing reform bills is a positive step forward for Wisconsin cosmetologists, barbers, manicurists, and aestheticians. But more needs to be done to free the more than 440,000 Wisconsin workers who require a license for the more than 240 regulated professions. Passing SB 288 and SB 296, the creation of a review council and a voluntary certification program, would create structural reforms to better balance the concerns of public health and safety with those of economic opportunity,” said WILL Research Fellow, Collin Roth.

 

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